A driver has won his appeal against a parking ticket issued for stopping in Ilford for “less than a minute”.

Mohammed Butt, 50, said he was driving out of Grange Road, where he lives, and stopped on a double yellow line for seconds to warn a reversing van driver about a pedestrian crossing the road.

He said he then got back into his car and drove off, but received a £110 fine in the post for “parking in a restricted street during prescribed hours”.

The fine notice issued said an enforcement officer observed the car on the line from 16.15 to 16.16.

The Redbridge Council parking warden said Mr Butt left the car to go shopping but photos seen by the Recorder show Mr Butt and his wife visible in the car and driving away at 4.15pm.

Mr Butt said: “The chain of events which is described by the officer would have taken a lot longer than this.

“I live just a few doors away and walk to Ilford Lane. Why would I park illegally on my own road to go shopping? It’s ridiculous.”

Last Thursday, the Parking and Traffic Appeals Service allowed his appeal and threw out the fine after the council failed to produce any evidence in opposition.

Mr Butt, who collected 500 signatures in a petition against ticketing practices around Ilford Lane after the incident, said he was relieved at the decision.

He added: “The council wastes this kind of public money and then doesn’t turn up to the appeal.”

The council did not respond to a request for a comment by the time the Recorder went to press.